The Dowager Duchess noticed her unnatural complexion and sighed to herself.
She had never intended to attack Lu Yunshuang. She just did not want others to misunderstand that Lu Liangwei was not filial enough toward her.
However, she was not exaggerating. The string of Buddha beads she wore on her wrist, Lu Liangwei had personally brought it to Tianzhu temple to obtain the blessing of Master Qingzhen himself.
Lu Liangwei knew that she would stop her, so she had secretly gone to Tianzhu temple. By the time she found out, it was too late.
She was still thinking about Yan Xuelou’s murderer, afraid that Lu Liangwei would encounter danger. Fortunately, Weiwei was able to return safe and sound.
Therefore, she cherished the string of Buddha beads on her wrist even more. Regardless, this is all Weiwei’s filial piety.
Right at this moment, Steward Wang rushed in. “Dowager Duchess, His Majesty has sent Butler Zhao to come present birthday gifts to you.”
Upon hearing this, the room fell silent.
The Dowager Duchess reacted first, she stood up under the support of Lu Liangwei and wanted to go out to receive the gifts. However, before she even moved, Zhao Qian was already leading a group of people walking in through the door.
Everyone was dumbfounded seeing the dramatic scene.
Zhao Qian smilingly walked toward the Dowager Duchess and said, “Dowager Duchess, please take a seat. Today is your grand birthday, His Majesty was supposed to personally give his birthday greetings but he has left the palace a few days ago. Many important government affairs have piled up, His Majesty really can’t get away. Hence, I was sent to present birthday gifts to Dowager Duchess.”
As soon as he was done talking, a group of junior eunuchs from behind came a few steps forward while holding gifts, standing still in a row.
Zhao Qian unveiled the gifts held in their hands.
Suddenly, the entire hall lit up, it made them unable to look away.
These gifts were all extremely thoughtful. There were longevity peaches and longevity noodles, as well as various valuable birthday gifts. The most eye-catching ones among them were a pine tree and a red-crowned crane held between two junior eunuchs.
The pine tree and red-crowned crane were sculpted entirely from jade stone. The pine tree was turquoise in color. When placed there, it was very lifelike, as if it were real; whereas the red-crowned crane was milky white, and yet it was as tall as an eight to nine-year-old kid.
When Lu Liangwei saw it, the corner of her lips twitched a little, she could not help but gaze at the jade crane in Aunt Lan’s hands.
Truly, no compare, no despair.
Without both the pine and the crane, the jade crane Lu Yunshuang gave was indeed good enough. Only after comparing both sides, this jade crane did not seem worth mentioning.
However…
Long Yang is back?
When did he return?
Lu Liangwei tightly held the handkerchief in her hand.
Lu Yunshuang’s expression was already very stiff.
Just a moment ago, she was attacked by Lu Liangwei. Now, the Emperor is here to make things worse. With the Emperor’s birthday gift, the jade crane gifted by her would become negligible.
Sure enough, Zhao pointed at the pine and crane in the middle and said, “This pair of pine and crane indicates having both of them pay respect on one’s birthday, implying longevity. His Majesty wishes Dowager Duchess good health and long life, just like how the pine and crane can prolong life.”
The Dowager Duchess nodded her head, a touched expression appeared timely on her face. “Please thank the Emperor for his kindness for me.”
Zhao Qian shook his head. “This is to be expected from His Majesty, there is no need to be polite, Dowager Duchess.” With that, he commanded the junior eunuchs to put everything in place.
Everyone present was worldly-wise. Once they heard those words, they knew that the Emperor took the marriage very seriously.
Otherwise, His Majesty would not let Butler Zhao come present the gifts, even more so to say those words.
Butler Zhao’s attitude indicated that His Majesty has claimed himself to be the Dowager Duchess’s grandson-in-law, not at all a superior and high-up Emperor. If not, Butler Zhao would not come directly to Longevity Hall and not let the Dowager Duchess go receive the gifts herself.
